Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 8 June 1996 — Page 24

The Muncie Times, June 6, 1996, Page 24

Meet young Gina Thompson

What do you get when you cross one of the most striking voices in contemporary R&B with the writing and production talents of an 18-year-old musical iwunderkind who has jalready helped produce tunes for die likes of SWV, Total and Madonna? “Nobody Does It Better” — the explosive debut album from Gina Thompson, that’s what It’s hardly surprising to discover that Thompson was bom into an all-singing family (with seven siblings) in Vineland, N. J., where she went on

to receive thorough musical upbringing through both the church and school. “Everyone in my family sings,” Gina said. “My grandmother and grandfather on both sides sing. My mother and father brought all seven of us into the church. Even in school I was in choirs. I remember when I was nine our school was putting on a production of The Wizard ofOz and I took a chance and tried out for the part of Dorothy and got it, which of course, meant I had to sing, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ but in a very operatic kind of way.”

The ensuing school years, aside from seeing Gina busy with any and every activity going - cheerleading, track, basketball - also saw her honing her vocal chops to the point where at the time of graduation she was already being ushered into local recording studios with fledgling neighborhood producers. However, it was a session where her older sister was singing background on a gospel album, produced by teenage musical sensation and protegee of new jack swing king, Teddy Riley - Rodney Jerkins, that Gina made all the important contact that would eventually lead to her landing a recording deal with Mercury Records. “I went to Rodney’s recording studio and recorded the song, “It’s The Things That You Do,” (the first single) remembers Gina. “After hearing the song completed Rodney signed me to his production company and presented that song to several record companies, one of them being Mercury. After they heard it they became interested, so we went back to Rodney’s studio and cut “Freak On,” and “Can’t Help Myself,” (also on the album) and soon after that I got my deal. It was the best time of my life!” An intense period of writing and production followed in studios around Manhattan, laying to tape a dynamic onslaught of ground-breaking hip-hop soul and darkchild funk. “I remember at one point we cut five songs in one week and that was a long of singing, believe me! At times it got tough and tiring onmy voice but when that happened I’d just take a step back and realize that I was doing something I love to do, which is sing, so I’d drink hot tea and lemon and just keep going.” Although Gina harbors a particular fondness for the songs she helped write, most notably “Freak On,” a surprise favorite for her is the smooth and funky rendition of Anita Baker’s classic “Angel,” produced by Rodney’s older brother Freddie Jerkins. “When it was suggested that would be a good song forme to cover, my initial response was ‘No Way! ’ ” Gina laughs. “My singing style is jus> sc- different from her style but in the end it was probably the easiest and most comfortable song for me to do.” The whole recording process turned out to be a huge learning curve for Gina. “People sometimes compare me to Cocc from SWV and Shirley Murdock, but Rodney really brought out the Gina in me. Don’t get me wrong. I love those singers but now when I listen to my album I don’t think I sound like anyone but me.”

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Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Muncie, Indiana

June 9, 1996 • 4:00 PM Theme: "Equipping God's People for Mission" Ephesians 4:1-16 Guests: Reverend Willie F. Love Choir & Congregation Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Marion, Indiana